Mine car spring bumper and coupling



Feb. 20, 1940. H. H. PANCAKE MINE CAR SPRING BUMPER AND COUPLING Filed May 25, 1957 sheets-sheet 1 8 Rza 0M. n wm/ m H.

Her/Wag 2 sheets-sheet 2 H. PANcAKE MINE CAR SPRING-BUMPYER AND COUPLING Filed May 25, A1957 l m,.. .|l|||f|4\,ms||1l|l`xfswwmun H Hwmmww l IIIIIIIIII I l I I I I I l l I I I I IIE I l I I I I u wv@ u J f" f o f f M u f 2f n O 0 o 4 rlwwilrsllslfxuslu llrlrlilrlllxHH HHH Ul||||||1||f|r|||| l n o FLV`|L Feb." 20, 1940.

INVENTOR l v /pmzme ATTORNEY 26 f Herwig;

wl 2,1903 s Herman Pancakaluntingtom W. svn.;` assigner"` i to lAmerican "Car and FoundryCompanypNew v vYork,yNQY.;accrual-ationiofNew Jersey". g l

. surrendering as,193g,lseriainogugsqcf i j 160mm.. (cn r21einf t L i y y stantiaflly `Z`slualpedcpori'iion havingl aninner ver-i invention relates ',Iingeneral to` spring bumpers and couplings for railway cars andparti'cularly those usedin minesandfor other industrial purposes. Previous bumpers Aand couplings 3 have been eltherfoflthe solidtypeorof thespring ty'pe in which a, common set'of springs serve for absorbingfboth draft'fadbuiling forces.` When a rconfnnfcvn set of Springs is used: the draftv forces are applied vto the construction above the spring', therefore, causing' a'twlst andvfbindingflofgthe parts. Also since the buifforceslare so much 'larger than thek draft lforces', the springs must ,be designed-tofwithstand the buflingaction and are meinung1yiy much-too'lsumfor tnejdraift forces. It is object, thereforeofths uinven-` tion to providea spring bumper andvcoupling arrangement inlv which independent springsgare provided for draftand bung.

f s Another object or nhe'invenuon is tnprdvisio y 20;

of a springlbumper uand lcoupling arrangement. in which the springs twill be arrangedsubstantialf- ,lyiinlelignmentwith the `f `1fe whihfthey ere `t0absfirlfi.1:5 ,1 i .Y A.furth r objectzofthe invention isthe pro- `vision `0ik afsving 'bumperfand cpuplinsarrevgerment in which thevdraft andhumperumernbers are entirely independent 0fY each Othezviarnd may Jbe replaced in,case,,o,f injury *with f, Theseand other objects `of t the invention Ywill be apparent to persons skilled in the art from a study of the following description `and accom- Ypanyingf drawings, in fwhichzf f Figure 1 is avsectional viewtaken substantially online i-I `of:1"lg.3;Vv f. V zfFig.A` 2 'is affront end `view. kshown in'llig.V 1f,fand n y Y Fig. 321s a plan View of the/combine andcouplerarrangement. y 1

Referring nowftothe drawings in detailgitM is seen thatthe bumper and coupling arrangement has been illustrated as applied to `a mine c ar having sills of suitable'formation which will be supported as is vcustomaryby the wheels :and axles i (not shown) ofthefcar. 'The sills-in thepresent instance .l are offbu'lb .formation having: anA upper 1 outwardly directed flange .52 touw-irish the side `iicor portions 4Y are attached andl ayertical ,web portion 6 to which thev central oorandend cast- 50,'ings are attached. vThe central floor :in the n- .The end member is preferab A stance" shown isprovided with upiivardly directed flanges by which the :licor-is, securely fastened n and lower horizontally spacedportions Mandii respectively, which portions are joined by a subof nUMrn stressante@ sus: s

ings vertical web se :formally/@abutting 'the upm- 1 towns? ticfally extending harige "i Hand2 anouter "vertical-JV lll? extending flange `2li joinedtogether bythe sub1" thatth verticalmenteillifmerges with tncmwer-z .simi` ze adapted to be; secured toI and supported bythe custernaryendbeltorjbinderl 26S The end member 32A is, provided "which "merges-`-with= an theV Zvelement are joinedf"tovetical1y` "extending end ,waus "als` 'adaptedgtsrcevesuitable curing meansfsuch as 38;'nymeansy of which'fthefentire casting is secured to thwebs of thefsidesills.

'Iy'heforward ledge of the wall Sli` outvrarldly"fA the p Z ,element "ange 20 "inclined inwardlylas a't upperand lower ilanges 4 fand =l Salso have their edges inclined accordance "with this fwall `lli, thus forming an outwardly "directed openingof a width less th irrlbufwsaiv stessero there@ nieniberis jadapted'to' receivethe bumper element liz` wnicjiris substantially of `uv-fdrniatin` `having "upper `inwardly directed. flange 44 andlower ijwaidiy directed nance; IS-afdaptedto be supported Aiiange lr6 'ofthe end` casting. The vertical* web `of the yl bumper member` isnprofvided at"`suitably v Aspaced points withfspring seat elements/'48101' positioning' springs liliY atl one end lthereof;'the

` ther .ms Of Seid springebeingA Siieblifposif tioned by' projections` 52 formed ori'thefzmelenient aange zu. The verticali weber thisbiimprcep n is of sumcient heightfto pbrrnitthlippejlang '4' thereof to overlap and ride` upon the lower flange i the diseeebiweee there@ element of lthe Z` at" one landr arid thehori-"- 1 yn `and movablewithlrespecttothesllpldrting V per .flange ist; of' the; element, 'while` the` upper y stings sa underlies the upper' msgstr therese if v i member constitutes a supppoit for draftjchannel 55 and furthelthe web 22g4n cooperation' f with the Y upper flange "14; "defines `fa; `pocket* in which the draft *channel* 55 is received@r The with spaced spring seats Sli with which springs 62 are engaged at one end portion thereof, -the other ends of said springs being engaged'by pro- -iections 6I formed upon a stop block 6.` In

order to-retain the stop block in position vertical bolts 68 extend through the end flanges i4 and I6,.thus rigidly holding the block relative to the car end member. As shown in Fig. 3, thel bolts 68 extend through xslots formed in theupper and lower flanges of the draft channel to permit outward movement `of the channel, while the flanges ofthe bumper cap 42 are slotted to permit inward A movement of the cap. It is also obvious that these bolts 68 also serve the purposeof retaining .the

draft channel and bumper cap intheir proper positionsl and that they limit the outer motion of the bumper cap under action of the springs 50.

'I'he customary coupling pin 'It is provided which extends through slotted openings in the upper flange I4 ofthe end casting and the upper ilange 44 of the bumpercap and also ,extends through holes 1,2 formedintheiianges of the-draft channel, thus l'permitting th'ejpin and'draft channel to move outwardly lupon application of a draft force. Compression of the draft springs is' lime y' ited by the length of the slotsin the upper of the end member and bumper cap,' 'whiletcom pression of-the bumperspringsislimited bythe slotsin the'bumperfia'nges themselves. E

It is obvi elements are independent of yeaclr other, ;the .rela

tive proportions of veachmay be readliy changed, that is, if desired the draft element may be made very short .and leveny and if desired the draft springs 62 maybe combined into a single spring.

It is also obvious that since the draft and bumper springs operate independent of eachother, each may be designed to withstand the forces im posed `thereon and accordingly it is to be noted lthat in the instance shown the bumper springs are considerably heavier than the springs used to resist the draft forces. v

While the device has been described more or less in detail, it is obvious that various modications other thanthose suggested will be apparent to persons skilled in the art and all such modifications are contemplated as fall within the f scope o'f the following claims.

What is claimed is:

d 1. Amine or simiar rail car having a floor, side sills. and an end structure connecting the side sills, said end structure comprising vertically spaced upper and lower substantially horizontally extending` iianges, a kZ form 'member connectingy said flanges, said Z form `member having hori zont-ally spaced upper and lower flanges extending substantially vertically and constituting abutments for draft means and buffer means respectivey, said buffer means being supported by the lower horizontal flange of said end structure, and a bracing means for the end structure secured to the floor at one end portion andinclined upwardly therefrom and connected to one of theI vertically extending flanges of the Z form member.

V2. A mine or similar rail car having a floor, side sills, and an end structure connecting .the side sills, said structure comprising upper and lower substantially horizontal flanges, `a substantially' that smtne nimeer and drn" s vertical web ss of thecraft member a provided end structure secured to tne'oor stone' empor;

tion and inclined upwardly therefrom kand joined to said end structure at its opposite end portion, and vertically arranged flanges joining the end portions ofisaid horizontal flanges, Z'form .mem-

ber and brace members together, and constituting portion thereof Vand inclined'upwardlytherefroan .and joined at its 'other end portion to Vsaid zend ',stmcture, and vertically extending ilangesejoim'ng .v u

the end portions of saldhorimntal flanges, lZ-Z-orrn member and 'bracesinember and constituting attaclnngel'mcnts fbyfwhich the' endstructureis secured-"to`the 'side sills. n A' 4.1A mine 'or *similar rail carfhavlng a floor, sidefsiis, andan end structure connecting the `side sills,` said` structure comprising upper and lower" substantially vhorizontal anges, a Z .form -melmber having its'web intermediate said flanges Aand substantially parallel thereto'randlits flanges extending-substantially vertical to rnergerwitli said first mentioned flanges, draft meansloca'ted between said upper ange and web and resting upon the latter, `and independent buerjmeans supported upon said lower flange.v Y

Y z5. `A mine or similar rail car having aiioor, side sills, andan end structure connecting V,the side sills, said structure comprising upper and lower substantially horizontal flanges, a Z form member having its web intermediatesaid vflanges-and substantially parallel thereto and its Vflanges extending substantlallyvertical to merge with .said first mentioned anges, draft means located between said upper flange and web and resting upon the latter, independent buffer means supported upon said lower frange, and securing means ex tending through said upper and lower angee and through said draft and buffer means to pre- ."-vent excessive displacement thereof.

6. A mine or similar rail car having aoor, side sills. and an end structure connecting'the side sills, vsaid structure comprising upper and lower substantially horizontal flanges, a vZ formmember having its web intermediate said .anges and substantially parallel thereto and its hangen Yeirtending substantially vertical to merge with said first mentioned ilanges, draft means locatedbetween said upper ange and web and resting uponthe latter, independent buifer means supported upon said lower angeand bracing means merging with said Z form member to brace the same whereby vsaid structure is strengthened to resistbuillfng and draft strains. f -7. A mine or similar rail car having a iloor,

side sills. and ari-end structme'connecting the side sills, said structure-comprisin'g'upper and lower "substantially horizontal flanges, a Z form member having its web'intermediate said angcs and substantially parallel thereto and its Baugesextending substantially vertical to merge with saidfirst mentioned angeanrovable draft means located between said upper&nge aaweb, said ydraft means resting upon normally 8. A mine or similar rail car having a floor, side sills, and an end structure connecting the side sills, said structure comprising upper and lower substantiallyl horizontal flanges, a Zl form member having its web intermediate said flanges and substantially parallel thereto and its flanges ex tending substantially'vrtical to merge with said first mentioned flanges, movable draft means located between said upper flange and web, said draft means resting upon said web and normally abutting 'the upperl nange of the Z member, independent buf'ler means movably supported upon said lower ilangefr'esilient means adapted to transfer the bumng strains to the lower flange of the Z member, and bracingV means merging with said Z member behind said resilient means whereby said structure is braced against the bufllng strains. I

9. A mine or similar rail car having a licor, side sills, and an end structure connecting the side sills, said structure comprising upper and lower substantially horizontal flanges, a Z form member having its web intermediate said flanges and substantially parallelthereto and its flanges extending substantially vertical to merge withl first mentioned flanges, movable channelshaped draft means located between said upper flange and web, said draft means resting upon said web and normally abutting the upper flange of the Z member, independent buffer means movably supported upon said lower flange, said buifer means overlapping a portion of the draft means and being movable relative thereto, resilient means opposing the movement of said draft and buffer means. and stops limiting the movement of said means.

10. A mine or similar rail car including a licor, side sills and an end structure connecting theside sills, said end structure comprising upper and lower substantially horizontal flanges, a Z form member having itsweb substantially horizontal and its nanges substantially' vertical and joined with said upper and lower flanges, said upper vertical flange constituting an abutment, draft means engaging said abutment and supported 4by the web of the Z form member, and buffer means supported on. the lower horizontal flange of the end structure.

11. A mine or similar rail car including a floor, side sills and an end structure connecting the side sills, said end structure comprising upper and lower substantially horizontal flanges, a Z form member having its web substantially horizontal' and its ilangessubstantially vertical and joined with said upper' and lower flangessald upper vertical ilange'constituting an abutment, draft means engaging said abutment and supported by the web of the Z form member, and buffer means supported on the lower horizontal flange offthel end structure and having 'its upper portion supported bysaiddraftmemberf,...

,12. A mine or similar rail car having a door, side sills and amend structure connectingthe side 'sillaba-ld end structure comprising upper and lower substantiallxnoriaontal flanges. a iz. form a draft member supported on said web and abut` ting the upper vertical flange ofthe Z form mem# i member having its flanges substantially vertically arranged and Joined with said upper and l lower flanges and its web substantially horizontal,`

ber, buffer means supported by the draft member and by the lower horizontal ange ofNtheend structure, and resilient meansin the draft elder"l movements thereof.

mentgand in the buler-memberfor opposing the;` i

13. A mine or similar rail carvincluding a oor, i i

side sills, and an end structure connecting the side sills, said end structure comprising vertically spaced upper and lower substantially horizontal flanges, a Z form member connecting said flanges and having'horizontally spaced upper and lower flanges extending substantially vertical and constituting abutments for dra-ft and buller means f et f respectively, said last named anges-belng con-` nected by a web arranged substantially parallel to said rst named flanges and constituting a support for the draft means, said buffer means being supported by the lower horizontal flange of said end structure, and a backing member connected -to the upper vertically extending ange of the Z form member adjacent theweb thereof l and inclined downwardly Vtherefrom and secured at its lower end portion tothe car floor.

14. As an article of manufacture for mine or similar rail cars, an end structure comprising upper and lower vertically spaced substantially isi horizontal flanges, a Z form member having horil zontally spaced flanges extending substantially vertically and connected to the inner edges of said first named iianges and in turn being connected by the substantially horizontally extending .Web of the Z form member, said v lower horizontal flange of the end structure being so arranged as to constitute a support for buffer means.

15. As an4 article of manufacture for mine or similar rail cars, an end structure comprising upper and lower vertically spaced substantially hori-` zontal flanges, a Z form member having horizontally spaced angesextending substantially vertically and connected to the inner edges of said first named flanges and in turn being connested by the substantially horizontally extending web of the Z form member, said lower horlzontal flange of the end structure being so arranged as to constitute a support for buffer means,

and a bracing means connected to one of said" last named flanges and inclined rearwardly and downwardly therefrom substantially Vinto the' plane of the lower of said first named flanges.

16. In a mine or similar rail car comprising a floor and side sills, an end structure arranged betweenand connected yto the side sills and comprising upper and lower substantially horizontal flanges, a Z form member `connecting said` ilanges, said member having its spaced anges substantially-vertically arranged with,A the connecting web arrangedsubstantially horizontally, draft means and. buffer.l means supported respectively by the web of the Z "form member and said lower horizontal flange of the end structure, and means connecting said end structure to the oor comprisinga. member inclined Adownwardly from the i i 

